Accra, Jan. 13, GNA – Ghana Coalition of Non Governmental Organisations in Health (GCNH) in collaboration with Ghana Health Service (GHS) has embarked on a project to facilitate immunisation coverage of children less than five years by 2013. The project dubbed: “Strengthening the Involvement of Civil Service Organisations in Immunisation and Related Health Services”, is funded by Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation.

The initiative, which commenced in December, 2011, is to help increase Ghana’s immunisation coverage of children under five years of age and Reproductive and Child Health Services (RCH) in 100 deprived rural communities within the Twifo Heman Lower Denkyira District in the Central Region and Adaklu Anyigbe District in the Volta Region.

It would serve as a platform to strengthen the capacity of indigenous organised groups and structures to monitor and manage the community’s health. The implementers are Hope for Future Generation, Seek to Save Foundation and Future Generation International.

Speaking at the National Planning Committee Meeting in Accra on Friday, Mrs Cecilia Lodonu-Senoo, Vice Chairman of GCNH, said the initiative was expected to create high patronage of immunisation and RCH services in 100 hard-to-reach communities in the selected districts within 18 months.

She said about 400 community stakeholders would be trained in advocacy, community mobilisation skills and community monitoring to enable them increase utilisation of Expanded Programme on Immunisation and RCH.

Mrs Lodonu-Senoo called for capacity building for stakeholders and community members to enable them to own the project.

She expressed hope that the project would help to increase immunisation coverage and other reproductive health related services in the districts.

Dr Frank Nyonator, Acting Director General of GHS, commended GCNH for its contribution to the health sector in the country and pledged to provide technical support to facilitate the implementation of the project.